Editorial Note
On July 6, the following exchange of messages took place between the respective commands in Korea in connection with the meeting of liaison officers in Kaesong on July 8.
“General Ridgway,
Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces
“We have received your second reply dated July 5. We agree to the number of liaison officers and their aides that you are sending and the time of their departure from Kaesong.
“We undertake to assure their safe conduct, but for their more certain safety and to cut down the possibility of misunderstanding we suggest that they proceed to Kaesong by a convoy of jeeps.
“At the same time, we inform you that our three liaison officers, one of whom is a colonel, together with two interpreters and reception personnel, will set out at 5 P. M. Pyongyang time on July 7 the day before the preliminary meeting from the Pyongyang area on five jeeps and five motor trucks for the Kaesong area via Sariwon and Namchonjom to prepare and take part in the preliminary meeting agreed upon by both parties.
“Each motor vehicle will have a white flag set on top of it. Please take note of this information.
“Kim Il Sung,
Supreme
Commander of Korean
People’s Armed Forces.
“Peng Teh-Huai,
Commander of
the Chinese
Volunteer Forces.”
“To General Kim Il Sung
“General Peng Teh Huai
“I have received your message dated 6 July. I agree to your plan of movement of your Liaison Group from Pyongyang via Sariwon and Namchonjom to Kaesong, leaving Pyongyang time on 7 July in 5 jeeps and 5 motor transports carrying white flags. This convoy will be immune from attack by my forces during its travel from Pyongyang to Kaesong. In addition, the area within a 5 mile radius from the center of Kaesong will be observed by me as a neutral zone from the time of arrival of your delegates in Kaesong. My delegates will proceed by helicopter or jeep as dictated by the weather. In either case they will cross the Imjin River on the Seoul-Kaesong road at 0900 Tokyo time, 8 July, and proceed to Kaesong along this route. Your assurance of safe conduct for these delegates is accepted.
General United States Army
Commander-in-Chief United Nations
Command.”